Academics, Student Life, Marketing

Jillian Madocs '19

As an undergraduate, participating in internships is a fantastic way to figure out what you’re interested in while gaining real-world, hands-on experience. Interning teaches you valuable skills that can’t be learned in the classroom, such as how to network with professionals, develop soft skills, and handle yourself in a professional environment.

Siena’s own Director of Internships, Alicia Pepe agrees that internships are definitely worth having as an undergraduate—and national data supports her standpoint. Here are some fast facts to know about Siena and internships:

- Students can do both credit-and non-credit-bearing internships.

- The Office of Internships is the clearing house for internships.

- Prep work for internships and self-assessments should be completed through Siena’s Career Education and Professional Development Center, and then the Office of Internships will answer any questions and work with students throughout the duration of their internship.

- Internships are offered on a case-by-case basis—internships are run during different semesters, and some have year-long commitments.

- Internships can be either paid or unpaid, regardless of whether they are credit-bearing.

- Faculty members are excellent resources for connections!

 

Advice from Our Interns

On November 7th and 8th, the Office of Internships held their annual Student Internship Panels. On November 8th, the participants were Josh Deyo ’18, Kylie Mason ’18, Matt Curtin ’18, and Ashley Metz ’18. Deyo is a marketing major interning at Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Mason is a history and political science major who interned with Siena’s Summer Legal Fellows, Curtin is a accounting major who interned at the Bonadio Group, and Metz is an environmental studies major who interned with Hudson River Black River.

The panelists offered the following advice advice:

Searching for Internships:

- Everyone said that they put their resumes together during their freshman year to get ahead.

- Curtin said, “The career fair is great for business majors.” When he went as a freshman, he talked to a few companies who remembered him and reached out years later, when he was seriously pursuing positions.

- Metz used LinkedIn to find an internship. Someone reached out to her, and the rest was history!

- Deyo provided some application and interview tips such as, the importance of a one page resume, using special resume paper to stand out, and that it is key to arrive 10-15 minutes before an interview.

While Interning:

- Mason advised those who are going into a legal field that skills have to be presented in a physical manner. On your resume, give examples of how a skill is backed up. In other words, don’t just talk about it—demonstrate it!

- Curtin said that in accounting and business in general, you have to be able to quickly learn on your feet and effectively communicate—this goes for the interview phase and beyond.

- Ashley recommended that interns have a can-do attitude. Show your employer that no matter what they want you to do, be willing to do it.

Get to Know one of Siena’s Twill Interns!

Meet Julie Azadian ’18, a senior marketing major who just finished up her internship with Twill, a for-profit company that gives 51% of its proceeds to charity.

Q: First of all, tell me a little bit about yourself and your team.
A: I’m a senior marketing major. My teammates are Allycia Woodruff and Dominick Paciello, who are also marketing majors. After school, I’m thinking about going into fashion or retail!

Q: What is Twill?
A: Twill is a for-profit company. However, with everything we sell, we give the consumer the option to give 51% back to local organizations who are our “giving buddies”. We get to choose where these hats’ profits go to. Our big thing is “give where you live,” so they’re all local organizations. This semester, we gave to Boys and Girls Club of America.

Q: What got you interested in interning at Siena?
A: I wanted to make more connections. I’m not from around here, so I wanted to get more experience. I’ve only had one internship, in the summer, so I wanted to do more.

Q: How did you find out about Twill?
A: Siena’s online employment database, CareerSaint. I applied to a few different positions but I liked Twill’s message.

Q: How has your experience with Twill been?
A: Awesome! It’s been really different; before this I worked in retail for Dress Barn’s corporate office. With Twill, we’ve been selling for only 4 years, and it’s more hands-on.

Q: What do you envision for your future or the company’s future?
A: I hope it continues and that we get new interns next semester. I’ve grown so much. We also give back to the community and make change that way.